Watain is a Swedish black metal band formed in 1998. The band's name is taken from an early recording by the American black metal group Von. Watain is known for its theistic Satanist views and for live performances incorporating pyrotechnics, candles, Satanic rituals, animal carcasses and blood. At a 2014 performance in Brooklyn, the band poured animal blood over members of the audience, with some attendees reportedly vomiting. The incident received coverage from TMZ and generated controversy. Watain has released seven full-length studio albums, as well as live albums, demos and EPs. Its most recent album, "The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain", was released on 29 April 2022 through Nuclear Blast. The band's core line-up has consisted of Erik Danielsson, Pelle Forsberg and Håkan Jonsson since its formation. Jonsson stopped performing live with the band in 2015, after which Emil Svensson, also known as E. Forcas, of the Uppsala death metal band Degial, became its live drummer.
Watain was formed in 1998. According to Danielsson, the band was established at a time when he felt that few groups approached their music with the same level of commitment as earlier black metal bands. Watain released its demo "Go Fuck Your Jewish "God"" in 1998 and the live tape "Black Metal Sacrifice" in 1999. The band has stated that it does not intend to reissue either recording. In October 1999, Watain released the EP "The Essence of Black Purity" through Grim Rune Productions, which the band considers its first official release. Watain and Grim Rune Productions also organised a concert featuring Malign and Dark Funeral.
Watain's debut album, "Rabid Death's Curse", was released through End All Life Productions and Drakkar Productions in 2000. It was followed by a split EP with Diabolicum released through Spikekult Records. A planned split LP with Malign was discussed in the early 2000s and was intended to be released by Grim Rune Productions before the recording of Watain's second album, "Casus Luciferi", but it was never issued. Watain toured Europe with Unpure in early 2002. In 2003, the band recorded "Casus Luciferi", which featured lyrics by Necromorbus of Funeral Mist, MkM of Antaeus and Scorn of Katharsis. Necromorbus also produced Watain's studio releases from "The Essence of Black Purity" onwards and performed live bass with the band. The album was followed by the Stellar Descension Infernal Tour of Europe with Secrets of the Moon and Averse Sefira. In 2004, Watain toured 18 countries with Dissection as part of the two-month "Rebirth of Dissection" tour. Dissection member Set Teitan performed with Watain in Russia in 2005 in the absence of live bassist Whorth and subsequently became an official live member of the band.
Watain's third full-length album, "Sworn to the Dark", was released in Europe on 21 February 2007. The band subsequently toured Europe with Celtic Frost, Kreator and Legion of the Damned. In 2008, Watain undertook its first headlining tour of North America, with Withered and Book of Black Earth as supporting acts. Eclipse Eternal and Kronosfear also appeared at some of the shows.
In 2010, Watain released the single "Reaping Death" in two formats. The picture-disc vinyl edition included a cover of "Chains of Death" by Death SS, while the digisleeve CD edition included a cover of "The Return of Darkness and Evil" by Bathory. The band's fourth album, "Lawless Darkness", was released on 7 June 2010. It received favourable reviews from music critics and earned Watain its first Swedish Grammi, for Best Hard Rock album. In 2012, Watain performed at Wacken Open Air and Bloodstock. The band also participated in the US Decibel tour with Behemoth and In Solitude and later supported Behemoth on its "The Satanist" tour of Australia with Bölzer. On 7 May 2012, Watain released the DVD and live album "Opus Diaboli - 13 Years of Black Metal Magic", directed by Johan Bääth and Watain.
The band's fifth full-length album, "The Wild Hunt", was released on 19 August 2013 in Europe and on 20 August in the United States. The album incorporated elements of heavy metal, progressive metal and doom metal alongside the band's black metal style. Its release was followed by a world tour that began in Uppsala on 24 August. In January 2015, Watain, Mayhem and Revenge performed together as part of the "Black Metal Warfare" tour in the United States. Watain and Mayhem toured the United States again in November 2015 with Rotting Christ as part of "Black Metal Warfare: Part II".
In January 2016, vocalist Erik Danielsson was the subject of the documentary "Music, Blood and Spirit: The Life and Work of Erik Danielsson", the third and final instalment in a documentary trilogy about individuals associated with unconventional beliefs or lifestyles. In July 2016, Watain announced another tour with Mayhem in December. Titled "The Past Is Alive", the tour consisted of seven European dates, during which the bands performed "Casus Luciferi" and "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" in full. Watain stated that these would be the final performances of "Casus Luciferi" in its entirety. On 27 October 2016, the band confirmed that work had begun on its sixth full-length album. On 12 November 2016, Danielsson performed with Mortuary Drape at the band's 30th anniversary concert. In December 2016, Watain and Mayhem released the 7-inch split EP "Sathanas / Luciferi Tour EP", which was available exclusively at shows on the tour and contained a live recording by each band.
On 2 August 2017, Watain announced the release of its sixth full-length studio album, later titled "Trident Wolf Eclipse". The announcement was followed by a short release tour at selected venues in Europe. The album's first single, "Nuclear Alchemy", was released on 31 October 2017. "Trident Wolf Eclipse" was released on 5 January 2018 through Century Media Records. Reviews noted a return to the band's earlier black metal style following the more varied approach of "The Wild Hunt".
The COVID-19 pandemic led Watain to cancel or indefinitely postpone planned performances at Hellfest 2020, in Las Vegas and in Uppsala. The Uppsala concert was intended to mark the conclusion of the "Trident Wolf Eclipse" album cycle. On 2 July 2020, the band independently released "Corona Mortis", a seven-track live cassette limited to the number of pre-orders and not intended for reprinting. The release formed part of a fundraising campaign related to the effects of the pandemic and consisted of a single-take rehearsal recorded at the band's headquarters.
On 5 August 2021, Watain announced that it had signed with Nuclear Blast Records and entered Necromorbus Studio to begin recording its seventh studio album, planned for release in spring 2022. The band also planned to support the album with a co-headlining US tour with Mayhem, but withdrew from the tour before it began because of visa issues. On 3 February 2022, Watain announced its seventh album, "The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain", which was released on 29 April 2022. It was the band's first album not to feature founding member Håkan Jonsson as its drummer, although Jonsson contributed to the songwriting.
On 20 September 2025, Watain announced that it would release its eighth and final album on 20 September 2028 and subsequently end the band. The announcement stated that the release and dissolution of the band would commemorate its 30th anniversary.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watain
Studio albums
Rabid Death's Curse (2000)
Casus Luciferi (2003, Fall of Lucifer)
Sworn to the Dark (2007)
Lawless Darkness (2010)
The Wild Hunt (2013)
Trident Wolf Eclipse (2018)
The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain (2022)
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…shrink me down again